Penn State Football Coach Banned After Child Molestation Scandal
Penn State has barred legendary former football coach Jerry Sandusky from school grounds following his arrest on sexual assault charges; Sandusky has allegedly molested eight boys over a 15-year timeframe.
Sandusky was indicted Friday by the Pennsylvania attorney general on various offenses, including: seven counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; eight counts of corruption of minors, eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and seven accounts of indecent assault.
The incidents occurred from 1994 through 2009. Because Sandusky retired in 1999, this would mean at least 20 of the crimes happened during his tenure at Penn State.
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The indictment follows a two-year investigation following accusations of inappropriate behavior by a Clinton County teenager against the 67-year-old coach.
Sandusky started a charity for Pennsylvania youth called The Second Mile in 1977 to “promote self-confidence as well as physical, academic, and personal success,” through “positive human contact,” according to the website. This is allegedly how he was gaining access to young children.
Sandusky is not the only Penn State staff member in trouble. The university has said they will pay for the legal fees of athletic director Tim Curley and Vice President Gary Schultz, who were charged with perjury for allegedly covering up Sandusky’s sexual deviance.
In 2002, Assistant Coach Mike McQueary walked in on Sandusky sexually molesting a 10-year-old boy in the locker room shower. He told renowned head coach Joe Paterno, who immediately reported the incident to Curley.
Instead of disciplining or reporting Sandusky, Curley and Schultz told him not to bring kids from The Second Mile back to the school.
Saturday, Penn State University President Graham Spanier issued a statement dealing with the charges: "The allegations about a former coach are troubling, and it is appropriate that they be investigated thoroughly. Protecting children requires the utmost vigilance."
